Mull It Over

Mull it over is a phrasal verb, with a similar meaning to “ponder on it”.

It is used to express one’s wish to examine a matter, analyze it and meditate on the possible actions as well as their outcomes.

The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, although it emerged in the United States during the second half of the 1800’s, with some occurrences of it appearing in the 1830’s.

During the 1870’s, mull was used with several senses, either in the titular context, with a meaning of meditating over something, or alternatively, as a slang expression in athletics synonymous to botch, or muff.

Originally, the word mull meant grinding or pulverizing, rooting in the Latin word molere.

“Mull it over” first emerged in Britain at the end of the Great War, spreading in the 1920’s.

It would see widespread use following the 1960’s, appearing globally.

The expression was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2007.

• Urban Dictionary – Mull it over